Li Xi, a modern college student, dies in a car accident and transmigrates into the body of a foolish girl in the Warring States period. This girl is the younger sister of Li Si, a minor official in the state of Qin who would later become a legendary prime minister. Upon regaining consciousness, Li Xi discovers that her soul has merged with the original host, restoring her intelligence. She finds herself in a precarious position: her brother is exhausted from caring for her, and she has no status or resources in this ancient era. A fortune-teller had previously predicted that she would regain her sanity after a life-threatening incident, which aligns with her transmigration.
Shortly after waking, Li Xi binds with a "Fourth Calamity System," a technological interface designed to summon video game players into a holographic simulation of the Warring States period. The system allows her to create infrastructure, summon players who can revive infinitely, and exchange points for modern items like cotton. However, the system is naive and limited; it cannot conjure living people in a state with strict population controls, nor can it directly summon players without a established game framework. Li Xi realizes that to survive and thrive, she must first secure a safe haven where she can set up her "game" without immediate interference from Qin authorities.
Li Xi devises a plan to gain the favor of King Ying Zheng, the young ruler of Qin. Through her brother, she gains an audience with the King and the Empress Dowager. She presents cotton, a crop unknown to the era, as a tribute. Impressed by the practical value of the gift and intrigued by her bold claims of divination, the King allows her to speak privately. Li Xi predicts several current political events, including the fate of the Zhao general Lian Po and the status of the Yan crown prince, using her knowledge of history. These accurate prophecies convince Ying Zheng of her extraordinary abilities.
Li Xi requests a fiefdom, specifically Liyang, the old capital of Qin where Shang Yang once implemented his reforms. Ying Zheng grants her request, bestowing upon her the title of "Divine Maiden" and full administrative authority over Liyang. This move serves Ying Zheng’s political interests by associating his unification campaign with divine mandate, while providing Li Xi with the autonomy she needs. Before departing, Ying Zheng also assigns Cheng Qian, a rebellious prince, to accompany her as a form of exile and supervision, along with Meng Tian, a young guard who would become a famous general.
Upon arriving in Liyang, Li Xi prepares the altar for the system’s player summoning ritual. She adjusts the game settings, establishing a time dilation ratio where four days in the game world equal one day in the real world, balancing player engagement with historical pacing. The system launches the game "The Great Qin," attracting players through holographic advertisements. The first wave of players, including a streamer named Yu Yu, logs in and is amazed by the realism of the ancient setting. They are greeted by Li Xi, who tasks them with improving agriculture and repairing city walls. The players, driven by the promise of infinite respawns and a sense of purpose, eagerly accept the missions, beginning their role in transforming Liyang and aiding Qin’s rise to dominance.
